 White-tailed Deer; Walton County, Georgia. June 4, 2025. A lunchtime walk near my office... Walton County, Georgia. June 4, 2025.  White-tailed Deer; Walton County, Georgia. June 4, 2025.
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 Song Sparrow songbird, Melospiza melodia, singing at sunrise in fall, Georgia USA. Photographed October 25, 2024 in Walton County, Georgia, southeast United States. Friday, 9:45 AM - It seems like it has been months since I've gone on any lengthy weekend birding photography walks. But as I passed by the parking lot of my office on this beautiful fall October morning, I couldn't help but notice that the Yellow-rumped Warblers had returned for the season! I grabbed my camera and spent just 10 minutes birding, but grabbed shots of a few beautiful birds.  A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message Day 3 of our paddle through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge took us from the Big Water overnight canoe shelter back to civilization at the Stephen C Foster State Park campground on the western side of the Swamp. Mile Markers 21 to 26From Minnie's Lake to Billy's Lake A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  American Alligator with GPS tracker; Stephen C Foster State Park, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA. April 21, 2024. As we ended our 3-day paddle through the Okefenokee Swamp, we had a couple hours to spend at the Stephen C Foster State Park campground before our shuttle arrived to drive us back to our car on the other side of the swamp at Kingfisher Landing.  Swollen Bladderwort photographed from the Maul Hammock Shelter; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 20, 2024 ©williamwisephoto.com (photo #20240420_008) Swollen Bladderwort (Utricularia inflata) photographed from the Maul Hammock shelter in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Swollen Bladderwort is a carnivorous plant that has “seed-like bladders, used to trap invertebrates, from which the plant gains nutrients. Trap doors on the bladders are triggered by the invertebrate, which is sucked inside and digested by enzymes.” - Location: Maul Hammock shelter; N31.01668° W82.25699° Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  American Alligator at the Maul Hammock Shelter; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 19, 2024. From the journals of naturalist Francis Harper, 1929: a conversation with Swamper Ezekiel Henderson… “I was fishing one time in Billies with my old uncle. I was doing the rowing and he was doing the fishing. The ’gators made such a racket I didn’t know what it was. And he told me it was the gators amuddying Big Bonnet Lake by Billy‘s lake. He told me to paddle easy and not hit the boat with the paddle, so we’d slip up on ’em and not disturb ’em and see ’em fishing. We got around a little clump of bushes in plain of Big Bonnet Lake, and they must have been somewhere between one and two thousand of the gators. Bonnet Lake was about four or five acres big. And them gators would rise and jump their length and go down. The bottom of Bonnet Lake is a soft mud. And it was easy to muddy. And they all muddy at the same time, and then stop at the same time and go to fishing just a few breaths. There was jumping and sloshing. They’d go down to the bottom and dig up the mud and scatter it with their tails. And then they’d go to fishing again. I remember one tremendous big alligator that rose up in the water with a trout in his mouth, about 12 or 14 pounds. Had him crossways in his mouth. And he just moved up to the bank and jammed against the bank until he got him headfirst in his mouth, and then swallowed him. That was the first time I was ever there when there was so many gators. And I’ve seen the gators so thick, it look like if you’d been out of the boat and if the gators had held your weight, you could walk all over the lake on gator heads.” Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Common Ribbon Snake; Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, GA. April 19, 2024. ©williamwisephoto.com In April 2024, my daughter and I embarked on another 3-day paddling excursion across the Okefenokee Swamp from Kingfisher Landing to Stephen C Foster. While there are open views of the beautiful swamp prairies, many of the waterways constrict down to narrow channels walled by tangled vegetation. In such thick, muddled mess of vegetation, you can paddle miles without seeing anything but leaves and grasses. On one particular stretch, I just had "that feeling", and began to scan the twisted briars along the run. I have no idea how my daughter and I spotted this pencil-thin, juvenile Ribbon Snake in the tangled vegetation. But what a find! Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 19, 2024. Paddling from Kingfisher Landing to Maul Hammock overnight shelter.  Sunset at Maul Hammock overnight canoe kayak shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA. April 2024 Just after 6 PM, my daughter and I reached the Maul Hammock overnight shelter in the Okefenokee Swamp. As we paddled up to the wood plank platform in the middle of a small lake cut into the green field of Spatterdock lily pads, a medium-sized alligator lay just to the left. It watched without moving as we unloaded all of our gear and set up camp for the night. Maul Hammock lies on the northern side of the Swamp. Because it is a 12 mile paddle from the eastern Kingfisher Landing entrance, and a two-day paddle from the western Stephen C Foster entrance, Maul Hammock is quite remote. A permit is also required to paddle past Big Water or Double Lakes, therefore no other paddlers are usually encountered when heading to Maul Hammock. After pitching our small tent and enjoying a “college student” meal of canned ravioli, my daughter and I were treated to a beautiful sunset. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Maul Hammock Shelter canoe trail directional sign in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. In April 2024, my daughter and I got permits to cross through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on a three-day paddle from Kingfisher Landing, westward to Stephen C Foster State Park. Our first evening was spent at the Maul Hammock Shelter. After a full day of paddling and photography, we arrived at Maul Hammock. Maul Hammock is on the northern side of the Okefenokee Swamp. On a map, it appears that you are close to the refuge borders. But on the ground, you get the full sense of wilderness, far from any civilization… not considering the camping dock and privy, of course. I’m all for the wilderness experience, but I’m also thankful, and so is my daughter, that all the camping platforms have a restroom! They are usually stocked and fairly clean, but it is wise to bring your own paper.  Outhouse privy at Maul Hammock canoe kayak overnight camping shelter in Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia, USA. April 2024  Maul Hammock Shelter; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.  William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Black and White Warbler, Mniotilta varia, song bird on fence post in the forest. Athens Clarke County, Georgia USA backyard birding photography. Enjoying an afternoon of backyard birding, I could hear a Black-and-White Warbler singing in the tangle of vines and downed wood. I brought out my small portable speaker to see if I could get it to make an appearance. Sure enough, the playback worked! He popped up for a few seconds to explore the little speaker, even fluffing up his feathers in agitation at the supposed intruder. I got my photos and then let it be. (Frequent use playback is not recommended, particularly in breeding season.) A very striking bird in the muted earth tones of my small patch of woods. Athens-Clarke County, Georgia USA  Black and White Warbler, Mniotilta varia, song bird on fence post in the forest. Athens Clarke County, Georgia USA backyard birding photography.  Black and White Warbler, Mniotilta varia, song bird on fence post in the forest. Athens Clarke County, Georgia USA backyard birding photography. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message Some random days for spring birding photography in Walton and Clarke Counties, Georgia.  Walton County, Georgia; March 18, 2024. Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, bird perched on a tree branch. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America. Common tyrant flycatcher bird found in the eastern United States of America.  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird perched on a branch singing in spring with pine tree pollen cones in background. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America.  Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor, songbird perched on a branch singing in spring with pine tree pollen cones in background. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America.  Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, bird perched on a tree branch. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America. Common tyrant flycatcher bird found in the eastern United States of America.  Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe, bird perched on a tree branch. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America. Common tyrant flycatcher bird found in the eastern United States of America.  Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, songbird perched on a tree stump. Spring birding photography, Walton County, Georgia, USA. Forest and woods resident of the Eastern United States of America.  Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, perched on a branch. Birding photography in Walton County, Georgia USA. Friday, March 22, 2024 Paddling from Bluff Lake to Kingfisher Landing, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GEorgia4/18/2023 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Sunrise at the Bluff Lake shelter; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 18, 2023. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Underside of a Spatterdock Yellow Bonnet Lily Pad in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. From Kingfisher Landing to Bluff Lake overnight camping shelter. April 17, 2023. On April 17 and 18, 2023, my daughter and I launched from Kingfisher Landing on the eastern side of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and paddled southward to spend the night at the Bluff Lake overnight canoe shelter.  Okefenokee Giant Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia minor variety okefenokeensis, along the green canoe kayak trail from Kingfisher Landing to Durdin Prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 17, 2023. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Canoe trail mile marker along the green trail from Kingfisher Landing to Bluff Lake overnight camping shelter. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 17, 2023 ©williamwisephoto.com The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge covers almost 630 square miles. Compare that to the city of Atlanta which covers 134 square miles. Or think of the Okefenokee being double the size of New York City, which spreads an impressive 300 square miles. But unlike Atlanta or New York with over 6,000 miles of roadways, the Okefenokee has only 120 miles of maintained canoe trails, which leaves the vast majority of the Swamp unmarked. Therefore, it could be quite easy to get lost if one paddles away from the marked trails. This is why the Falcon Guidebook Paddling the Okefenokee exclaims, “Stay on the trails. Once off trail, there are surprisingly few prominent landmarks from which to regain your bearings in the Okefenokee. Some sections in the Okefenokee are obstructed by overhanging branches, downed trees, submerged stumps and logs, masses of floating Pete, aquatic vegetation, narrow banks, shallow water, or other obstacles.” The designated trails have colored mile markers along the routes. But even with a GPS, I have occasionally found myself doubting my location while paddling the prairies. A mile marker sign may missing, damaged, or in high water, submerged! However, the US Fish and Wildlife Service does an excellent job of keeping the canoe runs obvious and open. But even so, stay on the path!  Screenshot of my cellphone location while paddling the prairies of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 17, 2023. Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Hooded Pitcher Plant flower; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, GA. April 17, 2023 My wife has never accompanied my daughter and me on an Okefenokee excursion. She isn’t really one for roughing it outdoors. And every time I mention “the swamp”, she pictures an ugly dark, muddy, gloomy place. I have a hard time convincing her of the beauty that can be found within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. And maybe I shouldn’t try! I don’t want to rob her of her rejuvenating time alone when I run off to that ugly Swamp!  Southern Blue Flag Iris in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 17, 2023 |
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